Thiruvananthapuram: Virtual classes will begin for school students in Kerala from June 1 as the schools continue to remain shut due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown.

The schools can be reopened only after Centre gives the nod. Therefore, classes have been scheduled through the KITE Victers channel to ensure that students do not miss out on the lessons during this time period.

The sessions will be held for classes I to XII (except class XI) on the KITE Victers channel from 8:30am to 5:30pm from Monday to Friday. Each class has been given a specific time slot. These special sessions, called as First Bell, will be available on YouTube as well.

A re-telecast of the sessions will be held for class X and XII students on the same day, and for other students on Saturday and Sundays.

The sessions will be held on a trial basis during the first week. The sessions of the first week will be repeated during the second week, beginning June 8.

The students, who missed the sessions of the first week, would be identified and arrangements would be made for them to attend the sessions in the second week.

Teachers are required to go to schools only when regular classes are resumed, the school QIP (Quality Improvement Programme) monitoring committee has decided.

School to ensure facilities

The Kerala government has issued an order, directing schools to ensure that no student misses out on the classes due to non-availability of television, smartphone or internet at home. Class teachers should make enquiries with the students on the facilities at home. Then head teachers have to make alternative arrangements if needed.

These can be classmates' homes, houses in the neighbourhood, and Akshaya centres.

The SSK co-ordinators, SPC, NSS volunteers, and Little KITEs’ members can also set up laptop or projectors for the sessions. Or make arrangements at the nearby schools. The SSK will provide work sheets for students in class I to VII and arrangements will be made to monitor these.

Teachers will also have to resolve any doubts of the students through phone or social media platforms. If lockdown curbs are eased, students can be summoned to a common centre or school. A guideline will be issued to teachers on this.

TV Timetable

Class    Telecast (Monday-Friday)      Re-telecast

XII         8.30am-10.30am               7pm Monday to Friday

I          10.30am-11am                   8am Saturday, 8am Sunday

X         11am-12.30pm                   5.30pm Monday-Friday

II         12.30pm-1pm                     9pm Saturday, 9.30am Sunday

III         1pm-1.30pm                     10.30am Saturday, 10.30am Sunday

IV         1.30pm-2pm                     11.30am Saturday, 12 noon Sunday

V          2pm-2.30pm                     12.30pm Saturday, 1.30pm Sunday

VI         2.30pm-3pm                       2pm Saturday, 2.30pm Sunday

VII        3pm-3.30pm                       3pm Saturday, 4pm Sunday

VIII       3.30pm-4.30pm                   4.30pm Saturday, 5pm Sunday

IX        4.30pm-5.30pm                   7pm Saturday, 7.30pm Sunday

This schedule is subject to change. For more details, visit: www.kite.kerala.gov.in